Things to Do in Wexford: The Ultimate Local's Handbook

Wexford sits at the southeastern corner of Ireland, boasting more sunshine hours than anywhere else in the country. This ancient Viking settlement, founded in 800 AD, has retained more of its Norse influence than any other Irish town – just look at the narrow winding lanes and place names like Selskar (from the Norse for "seal rock").

Unlike many Leinster towns that developed around monasteries or Norman castles, Wexford grew as a maritime trading post. This seafaring heritage is still evident in the town's layout, with its main street running parallel to the harbor rather than around a central square.

Wexford's Must-See Attractions

Irish National Heritage Park

This 35-acre outdoor museum brings 9,000 years of Irish history to life through reconstructed buildings and interactive experiences. Unlike the more formal museums in Kilkenny, the park lets you physically step into reconstructed prehistoric houses, early Christian settlements, and Viking dwellings.

Visitor info: Allow 3-4 hours for a full visit. The guided tours (11am and 2pm daily) are worth timing your visit around. The park is less crowded on weekday mornings and offers better photography lighting than the similar but smaller Ferrycarrig Heritage Park.

Wexford Opera House

Ireland's only purpose-built opera house might seem surprising in a provincial town, but Wexford's international opera festival has been running since 1951. The modern building (opened in 2008) holds two performance spaces and offers backstage tours even outside the festival season.

Visitor info: The autumn festival (late October) sells out months in advance, but there are performances year-round. Tours run Monday-Saturday at 12pm and take about 45 minutes.

Johnstown Castle Gardens & Agricultural Museum

The spectacular Victorian Gothic Revival castle is surrounded by ornamental gardens, woodland walks, and three lakes. The agricultural museum housed in the castle's former estate buildings provides a fascinating insight into rural Irish life.

Visitor info: The gardens are at their best in late spring when the rhododendrons bloom. Allow 2 hours for the gardens and museum. Unlike Powerscourt in Wicklow, the focus here is more on agricultural heritage than formal gardening.

Curracloe Beach

This 7km stretch of pristine white sand was famously used as the filming location for the D-Day landing scenes in "Saving Private Ryan." The beach is backed by dunes and pine forests, with a fully accessible boardwalk.

Visitor info: Visit early morning or evening in summer to avoid crowds. The southern end (The Raven) is quieter than the main Curracloe area. The swimming is safer than at many Leinster beaches due to the gradual shelf and lifeguard presence during the summer months.

Tintern Abbey

Founded in 1200 by William Marshal (Earl of Pembroke), this Cistercian abbey sits in a wooded valley with waymarked trails. Unlike its more famous Welsh namesake, Wexford's Tintern has substantial residential buildings still intact.

Visitor info: The circular Tintern Trails (3km and 5km) offer the best views of the abbey. Visit in autumn for spectacular foliage. Allow 1.5-2 hours for abbey and walks.

Hook Lighthouse

The oldest operational lighthouse in the world has been guiding ships safely for over 800 years. The distinctive black and white striped tower stands on the tip of the Hook Peninsula with panoramic views across the Celtic Sea.

Visitor info: The guided tour (45 minutes) takes you up 115 steps to the balcony. On clear days, you can see five counties from the top. Unlike Howth Lighthouse near Dublin, you can actually go inside this one. The café serves excellent seafood chowder.

Wells House & Gardens

This Victorian manor house and garden have been beautifully restored with woodland fairy walks, craft courtyard, and adventure playground. The house tours reveal the "upstairs/downstairs" life of a 19th-century country estate.

Visitor info: The house tours run at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm daily. The woodland walks are magical in spring when carpeted with bluebells. Plan for 3 hours to see everything.

Wexford's Hidden Treasures

Tacumshane Windmill

Ireland's only surviving windmill with its original thatched cap sits quietly in the countryside near Broadway. Built in 1846, it operated until the 1930s and has been beautifully preserved. Most tourists zip past on their way to Rosslare Harbour, missing this unique piece of industrial heritage.

The mill used to serve the local farming community who referred to it as "the mill of the seven sisters" – not because of seven siblings who ran it (a common misconception), but because its sails made seven full rotations per minute in a good wind.

Kennedy Homestead Trail

While many visit the Kennedy Homestead in New Ross, few explore the network of quiet country lanes that link sites connected to the Kennedy clan. Local farmers still point out fields once worked by Patrick Kennedy before he emigrated during the famine. My grandfather remembered Kennedy cousins visiting these farms quietly in the 1960s, without the publicity that surrounded JFK's visit.

Forth Mountain

Just 5km west of Wexford town, this 780-acre site isn't actually a mountain (it's only 237m high) but offers stunning panoramic views across the county and out to sea. The quartzite rock formation is unusual for Leinster and creates a distinctive purple hue at sunset. During the 1798 rebellion, it served as a hideout for rebels – local families still pass down stories of ancestors who sheltered in the boulder caves.

St. Iberius Church Bell Tower

While tourists often step into the 18th-century St. Iberius Church on Wexford's Main Street, few know that you can arrange to climb the bell tower. The volunteer-run tours take you up narrow spiral stairs to see the bells and enjoy the best views over Wexford's rooftops. What makes this special is that unlike church towers in Waterford or Kilkenny, you're often allowed to ring the bells yourself – something that's been happening here since 1760.

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Event Calendar

Winter

Wexford Spiegeltent Festival (October-November) Running alongside the Opera Festival, the Spiegeltent brings comedy, popular music, and cabaret to a magical mirrored tent venue. The festival has a more accessible vibe than the opera events and attracts top Irish comedians.

Christmas in Wexford (December) The Christmas market on the quayside has a distinctly European feel – introduced by Wexford's large Polish community. The Singing Christmas Tree (a choir performing in a tree-shaped stand) on the Main Street is unique to Wexford in Ireland.

Spring

Wexford Literary Festival (March) With workshops, readings, and competitions, this growing festival celebrates both established and emerging writers. Unlike the larger festivals in Dublin or Listowel, Wexford's event makes a point of featuring local authors from the southeast.

Wexford Food Festival (May) Showcasing local producers from the "sunny southeast" – particularly famous for strawberries, new potatoes, and seafood. The festival includes cooking demonstrations, tastings, and the hotly contested "Best Rissole" competition (Wexford rissoles – a local specialty of fried breadcrumbs, herbs and onions – aren't found anywhere else in Ireland).

Summer

Wexford Maritime Festival (June) Celebrating Wexford's seafaring heritage with tall ships, reenactments, and water sports. The Viking longboat races between crews from around Leinster are fiercely competitive.

Strawberry Festival, Enniscorthy (July) Celebrating the county's most famous crop with a family-focused event including the "world's largest strawberry shortcake" and the messy but popular strawberry eating competitions.

Autumn

Wexford Festival Opera (October-November) Running since 1951, this internationally renowned festival specializes in rare and neglected opera works rather than popular classics. The festival transforms the town for almost three weeks, with impromptu performances in unexpected venues like pubs and shops.

Harvest Festival, Johnstown Castle (September) Traditional harvest celebrations with demonstrations of vintage farm machinery, crafts, and local food. The threshing competitions use techniques that haven't changed in generations.

Family Activities

Kia Ora Mini Farm

This open farm near Gorey lets kids interact with animals including deer, llamas, and rabbits. The tractor rides and playground make it a full day out. Unlike larger petting farms near Dublin, Kia Ora remains family-run with a personal touch – the owners know many regular visitors by name.

Best for: Ages 3-10

Pirates Cove, Courtown

Adventure golf, bowling, arcade games, and indoor soft play make this a reliable option whatever the weather. The pirate-themed crazy golf is surprisingly challenging even for adults.

Best for: Ages 5-14

Irish National Heritage Park

Beyond the historical interest, kids love the hands-on activities like archery, cooking on open fires, and the woodland playground. The "Be an Archaeologist for a Day" workshops during school holidays let kids excavate replica artifacts.

Best for: Ages 7-15

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Over 250 species of birds can be spotted throughout the year. The wheelchair-accessible observation tower provides great views across the North Slob, and the interactive exhibits explain the reserve's importance for wintering birds. The Junior Warden programs during school holidays teach kids about conservation.

Best for: Ages 8+ (especially those interested in wildlife)

Secret Valley Wildlife Park

This growing attraction includes both farm animals and more exotic species like meerkats and lemurs. The reptile house is particularly good for rainy days, and the "zookeeper experiences" give kids a behind-the-scenes look at animal care.

Best for: All ages

Local Business Highlights

Green Acres

Part wine shop, part restaurant, part art gallery – this Wexford town establishment defies easy categorization. Their cheese plates feature local producers like Carrigbyrne Farmhouse Cheese, and the wine list includes surprising options from small vineyards. The upstairs gallery showcases Wexford artists, making it more than just a place to eat.

The Sky and the Ground

This family-run pub on South Main Street strikes the perfect balance between traditional and modern. Their own brand "YellowBelly" craft beers reference Wexford's county nickname, and they host some of the best traditional music sessions in town (Wednesday and Sunday nights). Ask for their beer paddle to sample four different YellowBelly brews.

Irish Handmade Glass

Watch master glassblowers at work creating colorful pieces using traditional techniques. Unlike the more commercial Waterford Crystal, this small studio welcomes questions and explanations of the process. They can even create custom pieces while you wait.

The Book Centre

Housed in a former cinema on Wexford's Main Street, this independent bookshop has retained many original Art Deco features. Their local interest section is particularly strong, and the café in the former projection room serves excellent coffee and homemade cakes. They host regular author events featuring writers with Wexford connections.

Visit Wexford

Wexford's unique combination of Viking heritage, maritime tradition, and agricultural abundance creates a destination that offers something genuinely different from other Leinster counties. Whether you're drawn by the internationally recognized opera festival or simply seeking Ireland's best beaches, Wexford rewards visitors who venture beyond the typical tourist trail. The county's relative distance from Dublin has helped preserve authentic experiences and communities that welcome visitors without being defined by tourism.

For the best experience, time your visit around one of the many festivals, bring an appetite for fresh local produce, and be prepared to adjust your schedule – Wexford people operate on their own relaxed timeframe that locals jokingly call "Wexford Mean Time."

Now, check out our guide about things to do in Offaly.

🎯 For Locals

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